Two new ideas I leared about volcanoes:
1.) How they erupt. The volcano is fed by magma that collects underground in the magma chamber. Magma naturally pushes upward so when the pressure increases, it will send the magma through a shaft called the central vent. Secondary shafts (also called fissures) may split from the main vent and release lava through side walls.
2.) A plume is an eruption of ash that travels 12-13 miles above sea level and spreads over throusands of square miles.

A tip for how to read/navigate the websites:
These websites were pretty self explanitory. They had labeled links that lead you to another page of information. My tip would be to click on and explore the links because they contain different information on each one! It's also important to look at most of the sites. Different information about volcanos will be on several of them.

One informational feature that was useful:
The Discovery link titled Volcano Explorer would be a great website to introduce to a fourth grade class. The site was very informative and provided visuals for the scientific terms along with definitions. It also had a "make your own volcano and watch it erupt" activity. This engages the user and lets them create, observe, and learn more informative facts once the volcano erupts.




LESSON IDEA

In the Magic Tree House book, “Vacation under the Volcano”, Jack and Annie are sent back in time to the town of Pompeii. On their journey, the Volcano called Mt. Vesuvius erupts! By reading this section in the story, we learn a little about volcanoes but there are many more facts that we just don’t know. Today in class, we’re going to do online activities that will help expand our knowledge about volcanoes in hands on fashion. I am giving you two great internet sources to use to help answer the questions below. While you’re answering the questions, feel free to explore the rest of the webpage and expand your volcanic knowledge! Once everyone has completed the assignment, we will gather together to go over the questions. I can’t wait to see what new information you learned!

Activity1: Explore through reading!

PART 1: Explore the website http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/volcano/types/. Click on the link “Types of Volcanoes” underneath the title Volcanoes located on the central left side of the page. Name the 5 different types of volcanoes and then summarize their differences.

1.)
2.)
3.)
4.)
5.)

Volcano differences summary:






PART 2: Next, I would like you to click on the link “Volcano Info” located on the central right hand side of the page, underneath the title Volcanoes, and read and information provided carefully. What is the difference between Lava and Magma? Was it magma or lava that Jack and Annie were running from once the volcano erupted? How do you know?





ACTIVITY 2: Explore through creating!

PART: 1 Use the internet page http://kids.discovery.com/games/pompeii/pompeii.html and enter to explore the different features! Click on the link “Global Perspectives” located on the left hand side of the page. Explain the main topic discussed on this page. Use the rotating globe (by clicking play rotation) to figure out if there are any active volcanoes near or in the USA. Use your geography skills and the global key provided for you to help answer the question!





PART 2: Next, the link “build your own volcano and watch it erupt” located on the left hand side of the page. Create your volcano by changing the viscosity and gas levels. Record your levels below. Set your conditions and click the “start eruption” button!

LEVELS:
Viscosity:
Gas:

What type of volcano did you create? Where can these volcanoes be found?





EXTRA CREDIT!
Draw, color, and label your volcano!



Rubric:
Activity 1, PART 1
5 points: Listing the appropriate types of volcanoes
5 points: Summarizing at least one difference between all 5 types of volcanoes
Activity 2, PART 2
5 points: Answering the three questions in detail
ACTIVITY 2, PART 1
5 points: Explanation of the main topic and list of volcanoes near or in the USA
ACTIVITY 2, PART 2
5 points: Recording the levels and answering the questions provided in detail
EXTRA CREDIT: 2 points!

Comments:



Grade: /20